Off-road offerings from Enduro Club for Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance
A group of local motorcycle enthusiasts decided to set up a new racing club eight years ago, to race their off-road motorbikes. And so the Lincolnshire Enduro Club was born.
The club has gone from success to success during that time; not only have they been racing their bikes, but the members have also been raising money for various charities, and for the last six years all money raised through raffles and auctions has gone to support Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.
Enduro Club PR Manager, Martin, said: “Many of the riders and helpers connected with the club have road going motorcycles as well as their dirt bikes. They recognise the good work that LNAA can provide for both riders and racers, especially when we can all, from time to time, get knocked off our steeds!”
In addition to the club raising £2,000 in 2023, one founder member, Andrew Baker, also set off and walked the 800 km long, Camino Del Norte pilgrimage routes across Northern Spain and raised a further £450.
Club president Kevin Bartle Sr, and 2023 Champion, Dan Johnson, presented cheques to LNAA just before the first race of 2024.
LNAA Community Fundraiser Jac Sutherland said: “This is an incredible donation, and we want to thank every member of the club for their generosity.
“We receive no direct Government funding and rely on the support of organisations like Lincolnshire Enduro Club to keep our helicopter and critical care cars operational, delivering the best pre-hospital emergency care to patients 24/7, seven-days-a-week.”
Lincolnshire Show plans the ‘biggest day out’ with new Garden Show for 2024
A Chelsea-style Garden Show will be among the new attractions on 19th and 20th June.
This year’s Lincolnshire Show will see the return of jaw-dropping performances that have wowed audiences in previous years, as well as new events and areas to discover, alongside traditional favourites.
Organisers are hoping this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever, with the Show’s first ever Garden Show, where some of the county’s best gardeners will be competing to display the best plot.
Last year, 58,000 people visited the Show, along with 2,500 animals and 500 traders or exhibitors, and it is one of the most anticipated events in the region.
Charlotte Powell, Chief Executive of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society (LAS) said that she has big hopes for the Show: “I am thrilled to see the return of our iconic Lincolnshire Show for its 139th Show. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever before.
“We are proud to announce a major expansion of our popular Horticultural Zone with our must-see Garden Show, where some of the best gardeners in the county will be competing for the best plot.
“Furthermore, our Countryside area will feature some new additional entertainment, ensuring a memorable day out for everyone, and we may have some more surprises in store. I invite you all to join us at the Lincolnshire Show, where we will celebrate the best of our region’s agriculture, entertainment and community spirit.”
With Lincolnshire being home to more than 4,500 farms, covering 80% of the county, the Lincolnshire Show is one of the biggest county shows in the country, with its history stretching back 139 years.
Organised by the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society (LAS), a registered charity which aims to educate the local community about food, farming and the countryside, the Show remains true to its roots, with a strong focus on farming and country life. All funds raised through ticket sales are invested in the LAS’ charity works, including the LAS Education Programme, and are reinvested in producing the Show each year.
As well as the new Garden Show areas, the Show Main Ring promises stunt displays, livestock performances, the Shetland Grand National and much more, while the Lincolnshire Kitchen returns with live cookery demonstrations and opportunities to taste local produce. The Horticultural Zone, where the new Garden Show will be located, will also see floristry displays and the return of The Potting Shed which premiered at last year’s Show. Lincolnshire’s sky-high heritage will be celebrated during the event and children can try their hand at fun farming activities at the Farm-gate Education Marquee. Meanwhile, the Member’s Lawn is the place to be for a relaxing glass of Pimm’s in the sun.
The Show is also proud to host one of the qualifying rounds of Farmer’s Weekly’s ‘Britain’s Fittest Farmer’ competition, which champions fitness and mental wellbeing and agriculture with gruelling feats of physical strength and resilience.
Spread out over 200 acres at the Lincolnshire Showground, just four miles from Lincoln city centre, the Lincolnshire Show offers breathtaking entertainment, a huge range of exhibitors and retailers, a vintage fairground, historical aircraft, expert cooking demonstrations, equine and livestock shows and much, much more.
In the months leading up the Show, farmers, livestock owners, florists, artists, chefs, craftspeople, entertainers, stunt performers, makers and retailers throughout the county will be busy preparing for the event, which is a highlight of the Lincolnshire calendar.
Local schools will also be getting ready for the LAS Schools’ Challenge to better teach children about agriculture, sustainability, food and nutrition with teachers working directly with the LAS’ education team.
The Lincolnshire Show will be held on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th June 2024.
Tickets bought in advance for this year’s Show are available to buy now, priced at £24 for adults, £8 for children (under 5s are free) and £59 for a family. Tickets can be purchased from www.lincolnshireshow.co.uk, booking fees apply.
Mick’s book sales boost Freemasons’ ambition to raise £2.25m for charity in five-year campaign
Lincoln author and Freemason Mick Lake has donated more than £1,200 – the entire proceeds from sales of his fourth book – to a five-year campaign to raise at least £2.25m for charity .
The book’s entitled Lincoln: Heroic, Tragic, & Bizarre Tales From History, and is a collection of ‘strange but true’ stories from Lincoln and the surrounding villages, and sales will boost the Freemasons’ charity the MCF which will ultimately invest the funds into good causes around the county.
The latest person to see the fruits of Mick’s labours is Paul Crockett, Head of Fundraising at the MCF. He met Mick on a visit to Lincolnshire to meet the committee co-ordinating the fundraising effort.
Mick promised to give to the Freemasons’ fundraising festival all of the money raised between now and the end of the festival in autumn next year. He expected that to be at least £1,000, but it’s already more than £1,200.
The book contains over 70 short stories, and closely follows the format of his first publication, Lincoln – True Tales from History. The first book had a strong focus upon extraordinarily tragic events, and this book contains many stories of a similar nature. However, the new book also has many tales which demonstrate the selfless courage shown by ordinary people whilst going about their daily business.
Says Mick: “The stories are all based in the City of Lincoln, or villages within the surrounding area, with the exception of a small number which describe the remarkable exploits of its citizens whilst travelling in other parts of the world. Every tale in the book is underpinned by meticulous research, and regardless of how bizarre it may seem, each story is completely true.
“The book makes an ideal gift for the ‘difficult-to-buy-for’ person, and I’m happy to provide a signed copy. Email me at saxilbystriker@yahoo.co.uk for further details.” The books are available on Amazon
Farnsfield helicopter is topping for Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance
Following the launch of their Great Yarn Bomb Challenge, the team at Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) believe they have spotted the first postbox topper, at Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire.
Created by avid topper designer Lee-Anne Willis, a dental hygienist from Farnsfield, the crocheted masterpiece took two weeks to come together with Lee-Anne spending hours each night designing the intricate pattern.
When Lee-Anne heard of LNAA’s Yarn Bomb Challenge she just knew she had to take part. She said: “The Air Ambulance attended a friend of mine last year, and that brought home to me how important their work is in helping people in their time of need.
“I wanted to support their work and so, when I heard they were calling for crocheters and knitters I knew this was something I could get involved in.”
Lee-Anne has been making post box toppers since 2002 and regularly decorates two in Farnsfield. She has become a master scavenger, collecting items that can be used as the frame with which she can then crochet over.
She said: “I don’t use patterns, rather make it up as I go along, I had just made a few hedgehogs for another project and realised the nose pattern would be a perfect match for the nose of the LNAA helicopter! Then using a plastic helicopter toy I was able to create the rotors and wheels and finally added the LNAA logo.”
LNAA’s Volunteer Manager, Kate Kerrigan said: “The yarn bomb challenge is a fabulous way to support the life-saving work of Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance from the comfort of your own home.
“With your help, we are looking to colour the counties of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire yellow. There is still time to get involved. Just grab your knitting needles and crochet hooks and some yellow yarn and register your interest at ambucopter.org.uk/knitting.”
Lee-Anne’s helicopter topper will be on permanent display on the post box in Farnsfield village, one of thousands of helicopters that will be displayed in Lincs and Notts after the Yarn Bomb Challenge is launched in June.
Horncastle Hotshots score with funding to reignite netball passion in the town
Netball has grown in the UK over recent years and more women than ever are getting involved in the sport. JB’s Sports Coaching wanted to bring the sport to one of the most rural locations in the county in the hope for it to build friendships, develop confidence and make people feel like a part of a team.
Horncastle has limited options when it comes to community facilities and JB’s identified that women in the town had fewer opportunities to be active, often feeling excluded from participating in community provisions which led them to feel isolated, lonely, anxious and poor mental health.
Therefore, the Horncastle Hotshots was created.
Thanks to Sport England’s Together Fund, distributed by Active Lincolnshire, JB’s Sports Coaching were able to deliver 20 sessions on a Monday night, to two age groups. 66 women and girls participated across the sessions, with 34 being 11–16-year-olds and 32, 17 years and over.
Removing barriers for women to attend is a priority for JB’s, to ensure that everyone can attend, get active and reap the health benefits. They decided to run the sessions at the same time as the children’s football sessions at the same location, so that childcare was not a barrier.
One participant noted: “My main challenges were childcare. I was able to take part in this as my daughter took part in the under 17’s netball at the same time and my other daughter was able to sit and watch.” This was a huge success of the project seeing so many mothers and daughters play together, and the mums not just stood at the sidelines watching.
One of the participants said: “It’s great to have something for mums in Horncastle. Toni has made the sessions sociable and inclusive, I really enjoy them.”
Three coaches have now been trained thanks to the funding, all receiving their Netball Level 1 qualification which means that the sessions are continuing in the future. This has also developed the coaches’ self-esteem and confidence.
Toni McHamilton, coach at the sessions, says: “It’s been great to have so many adults and young people getting involved in our netball services. Though there has been an element of competitiveness, it’s been great to see people coming along and enjoying the sessions. Meeting new people, becoming more confident in themselves and their own ability and actually improving their netball skills too!”
Despite a few issues with venues, JB’s were determined to deliver the project realising that to get more people active, it is not about the venue, but about keeping it safe to play, and remaining consistent in the delivery.
England Netball’s Lincolnshire Development Officer, Louise Key, has since been working with the Hotshots to ensure sustainability of the team, with the hope that partnership and support continues within the county for the sport.
Graves Park Social Club fundraiser for local air ambulance
A huge thanks has been given to everyone at Graves Park Social Club for raising an incredible £2,000 towards the work of Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.
The donation will help keep Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance’s helicopter in the sky and critical care cars on the road, bringing emergency care to people when they need it most.
Volunteer, Eddie King went to a recent social night to accept the donation from Club Chairman, John Clubb and Quiz Master Dave Toynton. He said: “It was nice to see so many people having an enjoyable evening while raising vital funds for such a vital cause.”
The club raised the money from quiz nights, bingo cards and a red and black night throughout 2023.
Burghley Game & Country Fair returns this May
It’s Country Fair time at Burghley Estate. This popular event returns to the Showground on Sunday & Monday May 26th/27th.
The show boasts a dynamic programme of entertainment in its two main arenas, with the addition of one or two new faces and acts this year. After a three-year absence Jousting returns to the Andy Singleton arena with an exhilarating display by OG Performance Horse.
Bob Hogg with his sheepdog and ducks provide some light hearted entertainment, whilst Aubrey Ladyman the newly crowned Kennel Club Spaniel Champion and Bella his Springer Spaniel will be demonstrating some of the serious aspects of working gundogs. He is joined by Paul Makepeace and Charlotte Brown from the gundog clinic.
The newcomers are complemented with all the old favourites, Horse Boarding, Scurry Racing, Falconry and various dog displays – lots of choices to be made when planning your day out.
There are a host of smaller arenas dotted around the showground, the Fun Dog Show where you can enter the family pooch, or the Gundog Clinic, scurries and working test to work out training difficulties or the Fly-Casting arenas to name just a few.
After all the activities, take some time out to relax in the various food courts listening to live jazz, taste great street food and take home your favourite nibbles from the Food Halls.
There are of course all the old favourites, a Craft village, Country Sports exhibitors & Traders and lots of country sports to ‘Have a Go’ at.
Airguns, Archery and Paintball in the Shooting Village, Fishing, and a wide range of dog competitions. With gundog scurries, Lurcher racing and shows on both days, with Whippets joining on the Sunday, and a Fun Dog Show for the family pooch.
So don’t leave your dog at home, bring them along and join in.
Full details can be found at www.livingheritagecountryshows.com/tickets
An early May bank holiday treat: Sandringham Food, Craft and Wood Festival
What a Chefs line up the returning Sandringham Food, Craft & Wood Festival has this early May Bank Holiday.
Saturday brings together Rosemary Shrager and Phil Vickery, Sunday presents Sat Bains and Francesco Mattena, whilst Monday sees local favourite Galton Blackiston team up with Jean-Christophe Novelli. Ben Bartlett the BBQ specialist will be joining the Chefs on a daily basis.
One of the highlights of the Wood Fair are the Chainsaw carvers taking part in the 17th English Open Chainsaw Carving Competition. The overseas carvers are beginning to travel again giving an entry of over twenty top quality carvers. Join us in admiring the skill and creativity of chainsaw artists traveling from around the world! From the USA to Germany, Finland, Canada and the Netherlands, their talent knows no borders. Don’t miss this global showcase of Artistry! This year introducing Kamron Garbe traveling in from Armstrong, British Columbia, Canada, just 4,350 miles as the crow flies.
They will be competing in the Classic Competition, a 2.1/2 day carve that produces some stunning sculptures. Alongside this is a twice daily 30 minute speed carve with everything to be sold by auction. Finally for your entertainment especially from the States is Mountain Mikes Carving Show which promises to be something special.
Up to now we have touched on just two elements of the Fair, but there is such a lot more, including a very large Craft Fair and Food Festival. Moving around the show we come to the Craft & Wood exhibitors, demonstrators and competitors. There’s nationally selected Artists, Designers and Craftsmen demonstrating and selling their crafts and skills in the main Craft Pavilions.
Into the Food Halls where you will find a large array of food and drink for your appreciation from local, regional and national producers.
One of the new exhibitors this year has a foot in each camp, Craft and Food, with his unique wares from his Orchard in Cambridgeshire. Trinity Apple Marc Spirit is crafted from the heritage apple varieties grown at the orchard and then housed in an Applewood flask or small item of furniture.
The Piazza is the central hub of the festival, that special area where show visitors come together to eat and drink, whilst soaking up the atmosphere and relaxing to live jazz and folk music. There is a large range of Street Food on offer from many different cultures and an equally wide range of beverages to quench your thirst, so do come along hungry and enjoy!
We look forward to seeing you at the Sandringham Food, Craft and Wood Festival. Saturday, Sunday and Monday May 4th, 5th & 6th.
Entry at the event or book your tickets in advance, online at www.livingheritagecountryshows.com/tickets or ring 01283 820548
Why is it important for schools to have a clear approach to the use of AI?
Academic Director at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, Kevin Oldershaw, shares why it is important for schools to have a clear approach to the use of AI.
Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. Schools cannot afford to ignore it and, indeed, are doing students a disservice if they do not properly discuss and agree their fundamental approach to its use. As such, it is important to write an AI policy – there are many samples and templates out there to borrow from – though of course the school needs to first decide just how much they wish to embrace the potential of AI.
At QE, our approach has very much been to see AI as a tool to enhance and support learners and teachers. Why wouldnt we? It is already so embedded in daily life in different forms, whether it be driverless cars, facial recognition or suggested viewing on streaming platforms, that to not make use of it seems counterintuitive. Not only this, but as AI is increasingly being utilised in a range of careers including early diagnoses of medical conditions, analysing market trends or making hiring decisions, we feel obligated to increase student exposure to the potential of AI. They will be entering a very different employment landscape to even 10 years ago and we owe it to them to prepare them as best we can for their futures – isnt that our fundamental purpose as educators?
So, given this approach, we wrote a policy (helped by an AI model of course – they are good for that!) outlining to staff not only how AI can be used by teachers, leaders and support staff but how this must be done in a responsible way, considering issues around ethics, data privacy and bias. This is the same message that was then repeated to students in a series of assemblies in September, delivered in an age-appropriate way and reflecting the different safeguarding guidelines for those under 13, those from 13 to 18, and those over 18. There has been an emphasis with all students under 18 to use AI models that do not require a log in and to ensure they appreciate they should not be entering personal identifiable information into any website, including an AI model, if they do not know how it will be used. For the younger students, the approach has very much been to work with their teachers in lessons using AI as a class, but for the older ones, the focus is on encouraging them to experiment with how it can help them, in a controlled and managed environment.
As we have moved through the year, as we, other educators and governing bodies began to get to grips with how AI can and is being used by staff and students, and various guidance began to be published and updated, we produced our own documentation for students helping them to better understand when it is, and isn’t, acceptable to use AI in their education, how to appropriately reference the use of AI in coursework, and how to work closely with their teachers to learn the best strategies.
Further work was done with teachers on how to use AI most effectively, ensuring the use was conversational, crafting the most effective prompts and then building on these to train the AI model exactly what you need from it. As teachers, used to clearly articulating to students what we want them to do, observing their responses and then amending our instructions and guidance, we are ideally placed to be able to train AI models in the same way! Our academic staff have been able to opt into a range of CPD training sessions, learning how to model AI best practice in the classroom, how to use AI to personalise their teaching, provide feedback to students and how they can help tackle intense workloads to increase their contact time with students.
Appreciating the importance of the need to keep up to date with this rapidly developing area and to ensure that AI is seen as a tool for people to use, not to fear, we created and recruited to a new role Head of Cognitive Science and Digital Literacy. As an experienced teacher within Creative Media and enthusiastic user of technology, Jason Sharma-Pay is ideally placed to not only help us further develop our digital strategy but to better understand how human creativity, empathy, emotional intelligence and capacity for critical thought can ensure artificial intelligence enhances teaching, learning and student outcomes.
Lincolnshire Fostering Service honours remarkable foster carers at annual celebration
Lincolnshire Fostering Service has announced its upcoming annual Foster Carer Celebration event, set to take place near Grantham on 19th April. This special occasion honours the outstanding dedication and commitment of foster carers across Lincolnshire and celebrates their invaluable contributions to the lives of local children.
The ceremony features the presentation of awards to over 50 foster carers, recognising long-standing service and special achievements. This year’s event promises to be particularly poignant as one extraordinary couple, Mr. Robert Isdale (81) and Mrs. Margaret Isdale (80), will be honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Isdales’ are a remarkable couple who have dedicated an astounding 44 years to fostering local children. Having provided nurturing care to over a hundred babies and young children, their selfless commitment exemplifies the true spirit of foster caregiving.
“We are honoured to host this annual celebration, recognising the tireless efforts of our foster carers and the profound difference they make in the lives of vulnerable children,” said Deborah Crawford, Head of Lincolnshire Fostering Service.
“It is a joyous occasion to come together as a community and celebrate these extraordinary individuals who exemplify compassion, resilience, and unwavering dedication. Our heartfelt thanks to this remarkable group of people.”
Lincolnshire Fostering Service is dedicated to providing safe, nurturing homes for children in need of foster care. Through recruitment, training, and ongoing support of numerous foster carers throughout the county, the service aims to ensure that every child in Lincolnshire has the opportunity to thrive in a loving and stable home environment.
If you have been thinking about becoming a foster carer, contact the friendly team at fostering@lincolnshire.gov.uk to attend an online information event.
